Remarks
at a Joint Press Conference With Saudi King Abdullah
(June 8, 2006)
I thank you, your Majesty, for your kind invitation to meet with me
at the royal palace in Jordan and for the warm reception
and hospitality you accorded me and my delegation
His Majesty and I held a fruitful
discussion on the common issues on our agenda, mainly
ways to advance our bilateral relations, create progress
in the political process with the Palestinians and
other regional issues.
We agreed to continue
working together in the future and to remain in close
contact, in order to promote our mutual interests.
We also agreed to closely cooperate and coordinate
the future steps that will be taken, as we have done
in the past.
For Israel, transparent relations
with Jordan are fundamental, essential and of strategic
importance. Israel will do everything possible to
strengthen our relations, thereby strengthening both
our countries.
I am very encouraged by the
cooperation between our countries along our common
border in the struggle against global terror and
other radical elements plaguing our region. The Kingdom
of Jordan plays a crucial role in maintaining the
stability and security of our region. We
agreed to enhance cooperation between us personally
and between our countries on this issue.
Jordan is a true
partner for bringing peace to the region
and His Majesty and I also discussed the
possible progress on the Palestinian track.
I told his majesty that Israel is committed
to the Roadmap and
will make every effort to advance the bilateral
track with the Palestinians. To that end,
and in order to achieve the goal of a two
state solution that we all strive for,
I assured his Majesty that I intend to
meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud
Abbas in order
to encourage the process and exhaust every
possibility of progress in accordance with
the Roadmap.
In order to achieve
this goal, I truly hope that the Palestinian
government will fully implement the demands
of the Quartet and the international community
therefore making it possible to hold negotiations
on the basis of the Roadmap. Political
stalemate in the Middle East is bad for
Israel; is bad for the Palestinians; and
is also bad for Jordan and the region.
It is essential to avoid stagnation. Should
the Palestinians not meet their obligations,
and should no political horizon be apparent,
we will have no alternative but to look
for other ways in order to move the situation
in the Middle East forward. I hope that
the Palestinian leadership will rise up
to meet this challenge.
His Majesty and I
also discussed the humanitarian situation
in the Palestinian Authority. I assured
his Majesty that Israel will take concrete
measures to improve the humanitarian situation
of the Palestinian population. Israel commends
Jordan's efforts to support this goal and
Jordan's assistance to the Palestinian
population. I assured his Majesty that
I will facilitate any aid from Jordan to
the Palestinians.
I also expressed
my deep appreciation for Jordan's assistance
in providing equipment and training to
Presidential Palestinian security forces.
We also discussed
our bilateral issues and agreed to push
them forward. We discussed the possibility
of expanding the QIZ areas in order to
promote joint economic activity in the
region and to explore ways to develop our
neighboring areas in the Arava valley and
along the Dead
Sea.
Your Majesty, I intend
to maintain close contact with you. I thank
you again for your kind words and your
hospitality and am looking forward
to continue working closely with you
in the future.
Thank you.
Sources: Prime Minister's Office |